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Southend U15’s – 43, Woodbridge U15’s – 12

19th October 2015 Simon Ballard — No Comments

Thank you to Southend for coming and playing us today, we always knew it would be a tough game. They play at one of the highest club levels in the country, so this was always going to be about how we performed, rather than could we win.

Southend started with a level of intensity that we have never played against, surpassing our Cup Final Match last year, straight away they scored, kicked off and scored again within a few minutes. Everyone of their players is easily at an Academy level and they started so well.

To Woodbridge’s credit, heads stayed up in defiance and from the next kick off our forwards took control, with Pod after Pod, gaining 2, 3, 4 meters a time and starting to win the advantages from the referee and getting penalties and free kicks. But we just couldn’t get any points from these plays. And totally against the grain Southend scored out wide.

But again and again Woodbridge came back at them through the forwards, with James Eaton, Connor, Charlie, Brendan, James Owens, Harry, Curtis and David smashing into them and just before half time, this pressure resulted in a try scored by David (unconverted).

Many teams would have started the second half with a feeling of impending doom, not our boys – we  took it to them time and time again. Southend were rocked by the upped intensity and the massive tackling from Woodbridge. But again as soon as their backs got the ball, 3 tries were run in in fairly quick succession, but not without masses of effort on their part.

Amazingly with still 5 minutes to go the intensity from both sides increased, David’s tackling was awesome with plenty of stoppages for Southend players to recover and take on water, this was truly a Woodbridge forwards day and the lads kept it there.

James O took quick penalty after quick penalty making yards and yards into the Southend 22, quick rucking and then quick hands out wide led to James O again, who started the move to finishing with a try, converted by Theo (his place and positional kicking was exemplary).

Woodbridge came second in points, but in my book first in desire and effort.

Men O the Match – so many played so well and above their usual ability, notable men – all the forwards, in the backs Henry, Tom, Jake and Travis, – but without a shadow of a doubt, for his awesome tackling (heard in the clubhouse apparently!) David, and also James O for being a Captain that leads from the front, encouraging his team, and making yardage!

Well done all.

Lastly – I hope Travis is okay, praying for bruised ribs not broken! But also in our cool down huddle, I can’t remember who said it, but someone said “ when do we play them again, I think we can take them next time”. And there was a hushed and confident murmur of agreement by the rest of the squad.

A day to remember in theirs and our lives – a day that the lads walked tall from the field of battle, with pride beating in their chests.

Warriors! Warriors! Warriors!

Woodbridge U15’s – 7 v. Bury St Edmunds U15’s – 5

15th October 2015 Simon Ballard — 2 Comments

Still at the friendly stage of the season, saw 3 x 20 minute sessions at Culford School against a very spirited Bury St Edmunds side. From the get go BSE were at the ground at least half an hour before us and their warming up and training was focused and well directed by their coaches. Their squad attitude was very positive with very vocal encouragement.

When we eventually all arrived and started to warm up, my concern was as to how many of the boys were actually awake, mentally out of their nice warm cosy beds. And even with quite an intensive warm up and stretching, we probably started the game at 85%.

From the kick off we looked stunned as BSE put us under increasing pressure and only some very brave and technically brilliant tackling from our new wingers – Tom A, Riley and Sam stopped a cricket score happening in the first 20 minutes.

In the 2nd session we played downhill and started to ramp up to our aggression with our forwards taking control of the loose play (still lots to do in the tight and set pieces), but from untidy play and against the run of the game BSE scored the first try in the far corner, not converted.

However, after some awesome inter-passing, BSE were left with no clue as to where the ball was, leaving huge gaps in the defence through which Guy ran in a try under the posts, converted by Travis.

The 3rd session  saw 2 halves of 10 mins, where Woodbridge showed some great ball skills, which opened the defence wide, but we failed to capitalise on.

Ending without anymore scores. Probably in balance a fair score line – but I know we as a team can improve by a further 10-20%, BSE seemed to be playing at their maximum.

 

Men of the Match this week – Harry Hobday for his rucking and tackling,  and Jake Hateley for a much improved performance at full back – saving several try scoring runs and returning the ball into play through his kicking, passing and running play.

 

Well done you two.

A big thanks to all Festival volunteers

15th October 2015 Simon Ballard — No Comments

To all who volunteered at the Festival on Sunday, may we send our HUGE THANKS.   It may have been a vast amount of work behind the scenes, but you guys are the face of the Festival and your efforts are not only appreciated by us, but also by all the visitors.

Putting on this Festival would not be possible without the volunteers who so kindly give their time.  We hope you all managed to enjoy the day as well!

Thank you all again,

Helen & Jon Wakeling

WRUFC Junior Festival Organisers

Boudicias beat W Suffolk Barbarians 37-5

13th October 2015 Simon Ballard — No Comments

Some photos from Sundays Boudicias U18’s 37 -5 win against West Suffolk Baa Baas at Ipswich.

Photos taken by Flo John.

WRUFC Development Festival winners

13th October 2015 Simon Ballard — No Comments

After six years of building a solid following, this year’s Woodbridge Rugby Club Youth Development Festival attracted another huge crowd of an estimated 1250 players and supporters from across the region. The seventh Festival was held at the Club’s grounds on Sunday 11 October with squads from U7 to U12 involved. Firmly established on the annual rugby diary after the success of previous Festivals, Woodbridge Rugby Club, home of the Woodbridge Warriors and Amazons senior men’s and women’s teams, made maximum use of its recently expanded Clubhouse and changing facilities as games continued from 10:30 until 3.30pm

WARRIORS 1XV V THURSTON (HOME)

7th October 2015 Simon Ballard — No Comments

Match Report

KICK OFF: 2:00 PM    LOCATION: IP12 2PP    SCORE: 16-10

The Warriors welcomed the Thurston Rangers to Hatchley Barn in the third week of the EC1 League with both teams having the same record. In the last few seasons these two rivals always put on a show and the scoreline was tight making this battle possibly more entertaining than the match at Twickenham later in the evening. Well, after the smoke settles it appears we were right!
The Rangers were to take control of the set piece right from the start and put The Warriors under pressure. To their credit, the Warriors took bad ball and made the best of it with probing runs from a back row of Jono Cooke, Nick Woodley and Olly Gray. Unfortunately were couldnt finish some of the excellent phase ball we were generating, but started to frustrate our visitors resulting in penalty kicks at the 12th and 19th minute converted by Warrior captain for the day, Jp Hart. The constant to and fro of the first half was a tussle for ownership of the game with Thurston slotting a penalty of their own in the 30th minute finishing the first half without any tries and a 6-3 scoreboard to the home team.
After the break, Thurston came out on fire and grabbed the first try of the match pushing ahead 6-10 in the third minute. The Warriors adjusted and turned up the heat playing most of the second half deep in the Rangers 22m. Solid defense and turnover ball kept the score the same until Jono Cooke punched through for a strong unconverted try.
It appeared that the constant pressure on the Rangers was taking its toll as the Warriors started to take command of the set pieces and attacking at every chance. A Lineout win in the Warrior half grabbed by Michael Parsley was transferred to Jp Hart who found a gap in the weary defense for a 50m individual sprint for the line and final points of the day.
A fantastic game played by two teams that enjoyed good discipline and sportsmanship throughout.
The Warriors take the win and joint second position in the League into a bye week where the other teams will do their best to gain valuable points.
DrewPhotographs here

Woodbridge U15’s – 47, Hadleigh U15’s – 0 Oct 4 2015

5th October 2015 Simon Ballard — No Comments

A good start to our U15 – 15 a side season, with lots of regular faces and a number of new ones turning out in glorious October sunshine.

Harry, Sam & Sonnie did well for their first run out and will I am sure become regulars in our team. Great to see Tom Aston returning and back on the wing too.

Men of the Match – Louis, awesome display of courage and death defying tackles, (someone please tell Lancaster this is what a flanker is!) and the ever so cool as a cucumber Travis for kicking 6 out of 7 conversions and holding up Hadleigh’s biggest forward to win us a scrum turnover.

Good work to everyone else – major thank you to the boys who played for Hadleigh and ensured we had a game.

Photos here https://www.flickr.com/photos/tomlw/21426132294/in/album-72157659644272141/

Eastern Counties Oct Newsletter

4th October 2015 Simon Ballard — No Comments

EASTERN COUNTIES NOTEBOOK No 103 October 2015

Download here No 103 October 2015

125th. Anniversary: This season sees ECRU celebrating our 125th year in Rugby. A number of events will be arranged, with details to be advised. We will conclude the year with an Anniversary Dinner, to be held on Friday 1st July 2016. The Guest Speaker will be a former ECRU Colt, Mr Jason Leonard, and we expect that demand for this event will be high. Lisa has sent out an Invitation to all Club Hon. Secretaries, and we will have to review numbers by 31 January, so, if you are looking to book, then please do so soonest. Thanks.